Apple Pie Oatmeal Bowl (Printable Version)

Creamy cinnamon oats topped with sautéed apples, walnuts, and a drizzle of maple syrup.

# What You'll Need:

→ Oatmeal Base

01 - 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
02 - 2 cups milk (dairy or unsweetened non-dairy alternative)
03 - 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey
04 - ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
05 - ¼ teaspoon salt
06 - ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

→ Apple Topping

07 - 1 medium apple, peeled, cored, and diced
08 - 1 teaspoon unsalted butter or coconut oil for vegan option
09 - ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
10 - 1 tablespoon maple syrup or brown sugar
11 - Pinch of salt

→ Optional Garnishes

12 - 2 tablespoons chopped toasted walnuts or pecans
13 - Extra maple syrup or honey, to taste
14 - Pinch of ground nutmeg

# Directions:

01 - Combine oats, milk, maple syrup, cinnamon, salt, and vanilla extract in a medium saucepan. Stir and bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
02 - Lower heat and cook, stirring occasionally, for 8 to 10 minutes until oats are creamy and tender.
03 - In a small skillet over medium heat, melt butter or coconut oil. Add diced apple, cinnamon, maple syrup or brown sugar, and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring frequently, until apples soften and caramelize lightly, about 5 to 7 minutes.
04 - Divide the cooked oats into two bowls and spoon the warm apple topping evenly over each portion.
05 - Sprinkle with chopped nuts and drizzle extra maple syrup or honey as desired. Finish with a pinch of ground nutmeg and serve warm.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It tastes like apple pie but you're actually eating whole grains and fruit, so your body feels amazing afterward.
  • The whole thing comes together in 20 minutes, which means you can have this on a weekday morning without rushing.
  • It's flexible enough to use whatever milk or sweetener you have on hand, so there's no ingredient panic.
02 -
  • The apples need direct heat and butter to caramelize properly, so don't just stir them once and walk away—they need attention to develop that subtle sweetness.
  • Old-fashioned oats are crucial here; quick oats turn to mush and steel-cut oats stay too chewy, so grab the right kind if you want that perfect creamy-but-still-textured bowl.
03 -
  • If your milk is cold, warm it slightly before adding to the oats so they cook evenly and creamily instead of seizing up.
  • Toss your diced apples in a little lemon juice before cooking them to prevent browning and to brighten the whole flavor profile.
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